SCRATCHPAD
Don’t ignore the chaos behind the scenes
By NIKKI DAVIDSON
COAST WEEKEND EDITOR
Have you ever drawn the short straw,
years before realizing it?
I imagine that must be what it feels
like to be an organizer behind the North
Coast’s most beloved summer festivals and
events.
In most cases, they signed up to lead
organizing these time-honored traditions
well before anyone uttered the word “coro-
navirus.” But in 2021, years of experience
and past success go out the window.
Gone are the days of making simple
choices. Just the decision of whether to
have the event virtually or in-person is like
a high-stakes poker game.
Once organizations do make a fi nal call,
they face a battlefi eld of F acebook emojis
and criticism from friends and neighbors.
Their once non-contentious positions are
now criticized nearly as much as a candi-
date for political offi ce.
Organizers who chose to move forward
planning a full event are fi elding calls
about port-a-potty shortages and higher
prices for food, all while desperately look-
ing for the manpower to ensure a year’s
worth of tasks can get done in mere weeks.
On top of that, they’re facing the high
expectations of crowds hungry for a return
to normal.
Some events may be abbreviated, and
others may not run as smoothly as they
have in the past.
Craig Barrow dives to keep a rally alive during
quad, or four on four, action on the main
court at a previous Seaside Beach Volleyball
tournament.
RS
STAFF AND CONTRIBUTO
ON THE
COVER
COAST WEEKEND EDITOR
THURSDAY
AUG. 12
Paul Lotman
watches the ball
hit the sand after
a hard spike by
Brigg Busenhart
at the Seaside
Beach Volleyball
tournament in
2019.
As the North Coast returns to sum-
mer events, I hope we can all take the time
to recognize the hard work and sleepless
nights that have gone into hosting any type
of in-person or virtual event.
If you have the time and are able, con-
sider volunteering. Many organizations
have critical needs for both in-person and
remote support. A little help can go a long
way in what’s been a turbulent summer for
the event planners on the North Coast.
2021
SET
FOR
FUN
BEACH VOLLE
REGATTA RET YBALL,
URN
PAGE 8
ASTORIA ART
WA
PAGE 4
COASTAL
LK
NIKKI DAVIDSON
CALENDAR COORDINATOR
SARAH SMITH
CONTRIBUTORS
BRIANA ALZOLA
BARBARA LLOYD McMICHAEL
BRIAN MEDFORD
PERFECTIN
G
PIE CRUST
PAGE 10
PHOTO BY HAILEY
HOFFMAN /THE ASTORIAN
YOUR #1 PREMIER CANNABIS RETAILER
CRAFTS
PAGE 7
254070-1; 08.
12 Front Cov
er- ; SHOALW
or; 4 x 1.5; XPo
ATER BAY
s: 0 YPos: 0,
Width: 756 x CASINO; Col-
108
Coast Weekend is published every Thursday by the EO Media Group,
all rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced
without consent of the publisher. Coast Weekend appears weekly in
The Astorian and the Chinook Observer.
TO SUBMIT AN ITEM
Phone: 503.325.3211 Ext. 217 or 800.781.3211
Fax: 503.325.6573
E-mail: editor@coastweekend.com
Address: P.O.Box 210 • 949 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103
To advertise in Coast Weekend, call
503-325-3211 or contact your local
sales representative.
© 2021 COAST WEEKEND
Find it all online!
CoastWeekend.com
features full calendar listings,
keyword search and easy
sharing on social media.
LARGEST SELECTION
FRIENDLY & KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF
ELITE PRODUCTS
–– For Washington Residents ––
Ilwaco
Cathlamet
(8am - 10pm)
360-261-7200
133 Howerton Ave
(8am - 10pm)
360-849-4504
327 WA-4
Kelso
Longview
(8am - 12am)
(8am - 12am)
360-636-0420
360-703-3229
820A West Side Hwy 971 14th Ave
WARNING: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. There may be health risks
associated with the consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and over. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana can
impair concentration, coordination, and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021 // 3